Surrendered militant laments Govt apathy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 15 2015: Many surrendered militants have been left in the lurch by the Government although they have been promised to rehabilitate appropriately, a surrendered militant told The Sangai Express on the condition of anonymity.

Lamenting Government's alleged apathy, the surrendered militant said that he along with five of his associates fled a militant camp located in Myanmar on October 19, 2013 .

After they contacted Moreh police station, they were brought to Thoubal district police headquarters by a police team led by the then Moreh police station OC Sudhir.

They formally laid down arms before the then SP of Thoubal, AK Jhalajit on October 20, 2013 along with five AK series rifles, 15 magazines and 375 live ammunitions, he said.

At the time of their surrender, the State Home Department promised them to deposit Rs 2.5 lakh each in their bank accounts.

Saying that Department's promise to pay a monthly stipend of Rs 4000 each has also never become a reality, the surrendered militant lamented that the Government has also failed to keep its promise to pay for the arms and ammunition which they brought.

He further said that although CID has already verified their details, no identity card has been issued to them till date.

In short, he said, the Government has not provided any benefit regarding rehabilitation till date.

As they have been left penniless for long, he along with four of his associates had recently left the rehabilitation camp and started working as labourers, he said.

Expressing worry about their future, the surrendered militant lamented that his dream to return to the mainstream and lead a normal life has been shattered by the Government.

The surrendered militant questioned where all the rehabilitation packages promised by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in their speeches have gone.

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